Jose Mourinho is set for a sensational return to Real Madrid after agreeing a three-year deal to become the club’s new head coach.
The Portuguese tactician will not be officially presented until after the club’s presidential election scheduled for June 7.
Mourinho, 63, leaves Benfica after taking charge in September and guiding the club to a third-place finish in the Primeira Liga this season.
The appointment marks Mourinho’s second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, having previously managed the Spanish giants between 2010 and 2013. During that period, he won the La Liga title, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.
He replaces Alvaro Arbeloa, who had been serving as interim coach since January following the departure of Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid endured a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, finishing without a major trophy. Rivals Barcelona secured the La Liga title after a decisive 2-0 El Clasico victory, while the club’s UEFA Champions League journey ended in the quarter-finals with a 6-4 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.
Since leaving Madrid in 2013, Mourinho returned to Chelsea for a second stint, winning another Premier League title and the EFL Cup in the 2014-15 season.
He later managed Manchester United, where he lifted the Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield during his first season before being dismissed in December 2018.
Mourinho also had spells with Tottenham Hotspur, Roma — winning the Europa Conference League in 2022 — and Fenerbahce before taking over at Benfica.
